“It has been a pleasure dealing with GPI. We had reached maximum capacity at our existing premises and started planning for a new surgery building around 10 years ago and around that time identified a likely site.

After many twists and turns, local difficulties and NHS reorganisations we finally achieved a successful outcome which was due entirely to the persistence, perpetual cheery optimism and professionalism of the Regional Director, Will Sheardown and his able team.

We did not own our existing premises and certainly did not have the means or desire to contemplate funding our own development. Neither did we have the knowledge or resources to have managed the hugely complex process of delivering this project and GPI made it as smooth and painless as it could have been, allowing us to carry on running our, by now, two practices whilst they dealt with the inevitable complications and frustrations along the way.”

Dr Alan Selwyn, Partner, Willow Tree Family Doctors

Ground Floor Click on plan to enlarge

Second Floor Click on plan to enlarge

First Floor Click on plan to enlarge

Key Attributes:

A brand new state-of-the-art primary care facility

Improved access to primary care services in the locality

Integrated development on mixed use site

Enables co-location of 2 recently merged practices and a pharmacy

Dedicated on-site parking facilities

Provision of modern and compliant clinical accommodation

GPI assisted with premises exit strategy for GPs.

Facilitates provision of GP and clinical staff training space

Achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’

Shortlisted for National Health Investor Awards

Project Description:

Willow Tree Family Doctors is a fantastic example of how general practice infrastructure is rapidly transforming and GPI is delighted to have now completed this project and delivered this brand new state-of-the-art medical facility, which provides a wide range of enhanced primary care services to the local patients of Kingsbury.

Willow Tree Family Doctors, the largest practice in Kingsbury, has been in existence since the 1950s and were previously operating from a building which was outdated, inefficient and undersized. GPI were appointed as the Practice’s development partner and were tasked with delivering a new, long-term sustainable premises solution that met the needs of the Practice and the local health community.

GPI worked closely with the Practice and other local health service providers to produce a strategic and innovative premises proposal, which secured the support of Brent CCG and NHS England. Working jointly with the Network Housing Group a joint planning consent was achieved for the site, allowing the provision of the new facility, alongside 12 affordable housing units. Completed in May 2016, this exciting new facility provides 1,250m2 of bespoke accommodation for Willow Tree Family Doctors (formerly Willow Tree Family Doctors and Fryent Medical Centre) alongside an integrated on-site pharmacy.

The internal layout and finish of the building is particularly impressive, with stylish design features throughout and a striking and light waiting area and reception spanning two floors. The clinical accommodation is also arranged across the ground and 1st floor, with the staff and administrative functions fulfilled on the 2nd floor. The patients of Kingsbury now have a state-of-the-art facility which will improve and sustain an increasingly wide range of services, in the heart of the community, whilst additionally significantly improving the overall patient experience and providing modern, accessible premises.

“Importantly for us they allowed us considerable input into the design and specification of the building and involved us closely along the entire process – it has always been very much our building and the end product is pretty much as we envisaged it. All along Will Sheardown has been entirely open and straight with us; a man we have been able to trust and good to his word, vital in something as potentially fraught with risk and expense for a practice. We now have a state of the art building with capacity to develop the practice, which is a delight to work in and which ‘wows’ the patients. It has helped future proof our practice and thus safeguard general medical services locally. Thank you, GPI.”

Dr Alan Selwyn

In delivering this project, GPI have worked closely with a range of stakeholders to ensure that the optimum solution for all parties was reached. This started our discussions with Network Housing Group in order to bring forward a site which delivered a mixed use project and continued onto working with the relevant NHS funding bodies to obtain support for the project at a time when the NHS was undergoing considerable change. Additionally, GPI ensured consistent communication between the design team and the Practice to maintain close Practice involvement in the process every step of the way, also ensuring suitable provisions were made for the Practice to exit their existing facility. The result is a project which fully reflects the working methods of the Practice and supports the continued improvement of the range and level of health services available to the patients of Kingsbury. The project also demonstrates GPI’s continued commitment to building sustainable, environmentally responsible premises with the project achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’,

The project was managed by GPI’s Regional Director Will Sheardown. Commenting on the success of the project Mr Sheardown notes:

“This has been an exciting project to deliver, with a range of different challenges along the way, but the close working with all our partners has enabled us to deliver a truly excellent new facility for Willow Tree Family Doctors and their patients.”